The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-01
THE IMMIGRATION LAWS.
Efforts VIII Be Made Bring About . Mum.
ber of Radical Changes.

Efforts VIII Be Made Bring About . Num-
ber of Radical Changes.
Special to the Irdianapois JournA.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 30-Some very radical
propositions affecting immigration ara TO be
made as Congress gets into working
order, and there is every indication that gem
eral MEASURE will be finally adopted. The An
archisrs' work, the influx OF criminals from
various countries, and the indifference OF the
steamship companies in the transportation Of
immigrants. have operated to make the as.
sembling legislators active There are some
very incongrueus and unjust features in exist
ing immigration laws. In the first place. there
is law taxing the steamship companies so
cenfs head for all the passengers they land in
this country. The sum doesn't seem large, but
it makes immense aggregate in a year. The
same law foroids the landing of any pauper,
iunatic idiot, other person likely 20 become a
charge to persons or Institutions. It lays the
responsibility upon the ships bringing over the
immigrants. and requires them to return such
Objectionable immigrants to the ports from
whence they came, and do it without compensa-
tion. There is kind of form for consular
agents to i'll up for immigrants before
they sail. but this procedure is
farce, because the consuls make no inquiry as to
the character of the immigrants. It is gener-
ally supposed that the OF 80 a head
from the steamship companies is TO pay the
pense of return Of the immigrants not wanted
THIS is a mistake This expense borne addi-
tionally by the ship-owners. The tax is for
little, If anything else, than supplying salaries
for immigration bureau officers and other orna-
mental work. Then there is another law which
forbids the landing of peraons under labor
tract 1t is what is known ''the alien labor
law Now, If musician. specialist other
person with profession business not gener-
ally piled In this country, attempts TO land. and
he cannot show that be has employment or
means upon which to live. he is not received.
Yet, il he shows that he is under contract, ne is
no, allowed to land. because the alien labor law
for bids it.
bill Is to be introduced which IT is under
stood meets the approval OF those most familiar
with the Inconsistencies and needs, and which
will start the ball rolling towards not only a
thorough eradication OF pauper in migrants, but
that class of Anarchists end criminals which
every body wants kept out. The bill throws the
brunt of the burden upon the ships which bring
farce being performed by cousuls. The master,
owner consieDss of the vessel landing Grim
inals persons OF Anarchstic records, or
those who are likely to become persons of charity
S rot alone required tn return the objectionable
arson, but is fined $500 certificate is re-
ised Of the officer of the ship for each imIni.
ant, giving a brief history OF the IMMIGRANT.
d. nd this is the document upon which the United
States holds the snip company. The fine Is to
be lien on the vessel till paid ~
Nearly all the tickets for steamship passen-
gers are sold by agents who can, by simply iu-
quring requiring vouchers. secure the trans
portation companies against violation of the
law If it is shown at any time subsequent TO
the arrival of immigrant that he had n
at the time ha came TO the United States, even
though 1t be years sfterward. the transporta-
tion company that brought MIN over can he held
the certificate issued by the officer in charge
of the shin. There is doubt that the most
radical steps will be taken stop she immigra-
tion of undesirable persons.